The police have launched an investigation after a pet cat was set on fire.

Officers started the probe after someone in Hillsborough, Co Down came home to find the family cat had been set on fire and was “suffering serious injuries”.

Tiger is a male 18 month old long haired Tabby and has been treated at a veterinary clinic for burns.

Chief Inspector Derek McCamley described the attack as “utterly disgusting”.

He added: “Someone has taken it upon themselves to set a family pet on fire. Tiger’s owner is understandably shocked and very upset and all officers and staff at Lisburn and Castlereagh PSNI hope the little cat makes a full recovery.

“It is hard to understand why someone would do this to a defenceless vulnerable family pet but we need to know who did this. We need to speak to anyone who was in the area of Kernaghan Park Hillsborough before 5pm on Wednesday March 9 when the cat was found. We want to know about suspicious activity.

Tiger before the attack

"We want people to come forward if they heard or saw anything untoward, and give us descriptions of anyone in the area throughout the day."

CI McCamley asked people to call the police on 101 and ask to speak to Lisburn PSNI or call anonymously on the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.

He added: “We are a nation of animal lovers. We lavish love and affection on our pets like they are members of our family. This incident is shocking and it will upset pet owners far and wide.

A close up of some of the burns

"While we have no information to suggest that this is anything more than an isolated incident, I would ask all pet owners to make sure their animals are safe and secure. We don’t want another animal lover to feel the distress that Tiger’s owners are feeling at this time.”